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Academic Life

Our Instructors

All of our programs are taught by Washington University affiliated instructors which include faculty, graduate students, post docs, and adjuncts. Our office works closely with instructors to ensure an excellent student academic experience.

High School Summer Scholars Program

Summer undergraduate courses include as much material as regular semester courses. When offered during the regular school year, these courses are given over 16 weeks, so the pace during the summer is quite accelerated. Students should plan on spending 2-3 hours working outside of class for every hour spent in class. Because missing one summer class is equivalent to missing well over a half week of a semester course, attendance is extremely important. It is important to note that these are not courses designed for high school students, but rather the regular courses offered to the Washington University undergraduate population.

Summer Scholars will need to purchase textbooks. The cost of textbooks can vary greatly depending on the course and instructor. Students may spend as little as $50, or as much as $300. Beginning mid-May, textbook requirements and costs are posted on the Campus Bookstore website. This list is updated as instructors submit requests. A few courses will have no required textbooks, so students should not be alarmed if there is not a textbook listed for their course.

All Summer Scholars are eligible to receive two hours of tutoring a week the cost of which is included in the program fee. Our tutors are current Washington University undergraduate and graduate students.

High School Summer Institutes

Institutes combine traditional undergraduate curriculum with organized field trips, guest lectures, and hands-on activities. Students are required to complete a final project which varies with each institute, as well as weekly assignments and nightly readings. For more specific details visit the institute section of the website.

Institute students will be provided any required text or reading materials.

Middle School Summer Challenge

Summer Challenge courses are designed to build on current knowledge and challenge students to explore further topics that interest them. Classes include lectures, discussion, hands-on activities, and small group work.

Challenge students will be provided any required text or reading materials.

Academic Support Groups

Regular academic support groups provide an opportunity for students to meet and discuss issues outside of the classroom and further develop their time management, research, presentation, and study skills. These groups, led by our program staff, are designed to assist students with understanding the syllabus and academic expectations as well as providing structured study time. These groups also aid in identifying students who may need tutoring or other additional support during the program.

Disability Resources

Disability resources assist students with hearing, visual, orthopedic, learning, or other disabilities. Services include readers, note-takers, tutors, counseling, appropriate academic accommodation (e.g., alternate testing conditions, extended testing time), and referral to community resources. If students need any of these services, they must contact our office for assistance.

Grades, Transcripts, and Certificates of Completion

At the conclusion of each program, participation in the program will be recorded and become part of your record at Washington University. Summer Scholars may request an official transcript of grades earned to be sent to any school to which they are applying for undergraduate admission. Requests should be made through the Office of the University Registrar. If a student is applying for undergraduate admission to Washington University, they will need to send a copy of their transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Students in our noncredit programs will receive an official certificate of completion as well as a performance evaluation which will be mailed to the home address two to three weeks after the program end date.

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to assisting all members of the University community in providing for their own safety and security. The annual security compliance document is available on the University Police web site at http://police.wustl.edu. The web site contains information regarding campus security and personal safety issues, including topics such as crime prevention, University Police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures and other matters of importance to security on campus. The web site also contains crime statistics from the three previous calendar years for crime reported on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Washington University, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus.